A unique conservation area on Anglesey is being safeguarded thanks to the efforts of a small herd of ponies.
The Welsh Mountain ponies have been helping to protect threatened plants and birds, within Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, by doing that they do best – grazing heathland.
As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protected Area (SPA) the heathland is an area of a high conservation value.
The ponies have been grazing there over the past year as part of the long term management project run by the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Countryside and AONB Service. Other partners include the Anglesey Grazing Animals Partnership and the Countryside Council for Wales(CCW).
County Council Countryside Warden, Gareth Evans, explained, “Heathland provides an important habitat for many threatened and protected species, but it has declined by almost 50% on Anglesey over the last 60 years. The grazing ponies are a throwback to more traditional means of land management which is helping to restore valuable heathland.”
“More heathland is encouraging heathers and other heathland plants to flourish and providing better feeding for Choughs, wrens and stonechats, which need diverse vegetation to live and feed on. The rare Chough, which nests on Holyhead Mountain, is benefiting through improved habitat and by feeding on the insects attracted by the ponies’ dung.”
The Countryside Service has praised walkers for supporting this important conservation project, especially those who put their dogs on a lead when approaching the ponies.
Hilary Kehoe of the Anglesey Grazing Animals Partnership, said, “I’m really pleased that the decision to introduce pony grazing to the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park has proved a real success. Through grazing, the ponies are doing a brilliant job of creating a varied mosaic of plants to improve biodiversity, whilst benefiting wildlife including Choughs, Butterflies and the nationally declining heathland habitat.”
“We’re delighted that this partnership approach between the countryside wardens, CCW, pony owners, park users and ourselves is promoting nature in the Park.”
There are no restrictions on walkers on the Anglesey Coastal Path in this area, although dogs should be on a lead when approaching the ponies.
For further information about the project, please contact Isle of Anglesey County Council Countryside Warden, Gareth Evans, on (01248) 752139 or e-mail: [email protected] or AGAP local grazing scheme coordinator, Hilary Kehoe on 07726 358 228 or e-mail: [email protected]
